Management of business processes

ABSTRACT

First business process data obtained from a first trading participant includes a set of transaction messages having a first data format in accordance with a first protocol for conducting business transactions used by the first trading participant. A virtual trading participant receives fictitious business process data from the first trading participant and acknowledging the fictitious business process data and replying to the first trading participant that the fictitious business process data has been acknowledged. Operational characteristics and a connectivity of a currently trading participant connected to a process management platform accessible via an interconnection fabric are tested, by utilizing the virtual trading participant to determine if the data defining individual business processes is in a uniform format understood by a process management platform. The virtual trading participant is utilized to ensure compatibility with an identified version of the uniform format.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of Ser. No. 13/862,158,filed Apr. 12, 2013; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 13/475,073,filed May 18, 2012 which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,429,063, issued Apr. 23,2013; which is a continuation of Ser. No. 12/498,578, filed Jul. 7,2009, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,229,836, issued Jul. 24, 2012; whichis a divisional application of Ser. No. 09/757,771, filed Jan. 9, 2001,which is now U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,041, issued Jul. 14, 2009; all of whichare incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of computer software and hardware.More specifically the invention relates to a method and apparatus formanaging business processes.

BACKGROUND ART

In online financial transactions, customers search for and purchaseproducts and services through electronic communications with onlinemerchants over electronic networks, such as the Internet. During thecourse of these transactions, customers may provide payment in variousways including, for example, credit cards, electronic fund transfers,and other payment techniques offered by payment providers.

In the current competitive business conditions, manufacturers andsellers of products seek to be as cost competitive as possible, whileproviding quick delivery of products that often must be customized.Thus, modern businesses desire a mechanism for obtaining the bestprices, delivery dates and quality from their suppliers and distributorsin turn. In the past sellers purchased the items they needed fromsuppliers by calling a number of suppliers to determine cost anddelivery dates. This process is shown in FIG. 1, where supply chainpartner 100 communicates with supply chain partner 110 individually bymeans of a phone or fax line 120. This method of procurement oftenproves to be time consuming and expensive. In order to become morecompetitive, sellers began to automate their supply chains in order toderive cost savings and better serve customers by improving theefficiency of the transactions between various supply chain partners.For reasons of implementation cost, only the largest companies in thesupply chain process could automate transactions between supply chainpartners. Typically such supply chain partners were only able toautomate simple transactions such as purchase orders, invoices andpayments. Moreover, such automation was done by automating thetransaction process one individual company at a time. For example, if acompany wanted to automate the process of purchasing products from anumber of different suppliers, current system typically require thecompany to setup a mechanism for purchasing products with eachindividual supplier.

Electronic Data Interchanges:

Electronic data interchanges (EDI) have been used in the past by somecompanies to exchange transaction information with their supply chainpartners. EDI is a standard format for exchanging business data,developed by the Data Interchange Standards Association and designatedas American National Standards Institute standard X12. An EDI messagecontains a string of data elements, each of which represents one fact,such as a price or product model number, separated by a delimiter orcharacter used to separate data items. The entire string is called adata segment and one or more data segments framed by a header andtrailer form a transaction set, which is the EDI unit of transmission. Atransaction set often consists of what would usually be contained in atypical business document or form. A problem with existing EDI solutionsis that there are large set up and maintenance costs associated withEDI. For example, each company that wishes to communicate with anothercompany using EDI must setup a connection with that company in order toestablish an EDI connection to that company. Thus, if a company has 100suppliers and 50 distributors, the company is required to setup 150different EDI interfaces. This process is cumbersome and requires aprohibitive number of resources in order to adequately implement. Inaddition, EDI messages are static, batch messages that do not permitinteractive business processes to be conducted in real time. EDIprotocols do not establish a standard mechanism for linking a series ofmessages in a predefined logical workflow sequence over a period of timein order to implement a business process. Thus, there is a need for asystem that requires substantially less resources for a company toimplement, and that permits business processes comprised of multiplemessages linked by a logical workflow to be managed over time. Forexample, there is a need for a cost effective way for supply chainpartners to communicate and exchange business transaction information,and to structure processes using this information that are linked byworkflows and managed over time. The lack of standardized electronicbusiness interfaces in supply chains has created many difficulties formanufacturers, distributors, resellers, and end-users who are attemptingto automate business transactions. The problem is particularly acute forsupply chain partners trying to use the Internet as abusiness-to-business commerce tool. For example, some of the problemstypically encountered include the following:

1) Manufacturers use complex processes to determine inventory levels andavailability across the supply chain at any point in time that are oftenlittle more than guesses because there is no agreement on how partnumbers are defined or how to make inventory inquiries of suppliersthrough a standard interface.

2) Manufacturers have no automated way of comparing vendor prices andavailability.

3) Distributors, who provide technical support to their resellers onthousands of items, are concerned with a lack of product informationstandards that makes the distribution of such information expensive anddifficult.

4) Resellers must maintain different ordering and return procedures andsystem interfaces to each distributor and direct manufacturer with whomthey trade.

5) End-users have no way of ordering items or confirming orders anddelivery dates through uniform templates and must revert to olderprocedures such as calling suppliers with orders.

6) None of the users has any way of checking for errors that may bepresent in their requests or in the responses to their requests.

Currently available transaction systems do not fully automate businesstransactions and do not facilitate transactions between multipleparties. The time and cost wasted by the need for manual exchange ofbusiness information and transactions by phone and fax results in lostor incorrect orders, late deliveries, high clerical and labor costs,excessive buffer and obsolete inventory costs, and low customer loyaltyand retention. Moreover, currently available transaction systems onlypermit the transmission and exchange of static batch messages.

An effort has been made to overcome these problems by severalorganizations in different industries. An example of such anorganization is RosettaNet™, an independent, self-funded, non-profitconsortium formed in 1998 for the development of supply chain automationstandards and guidelines. These standards serve to align processesbetween supply chain partners for automatic, system-to-system exchangeof business information and transactions, with a number of transactionsbetween a first partner and a second partner. RosettaNet™ functionsthrough business processes known in RosettaNet™ parlance as PIPs(Partner Interface Process), where a PIP is a sequence of standardizedtransactions to perform a particular business function, such as aproduct inquiry or a purchase. The PIPs specify the activities for eachtrading participant and allow for multiple transactions between onepartner and another linked together in sequence.

PIPs are designed to be performed in real time. In order to use theRosettaNet™ system, a business process is modeled in terms of a PIP,which is defined in two data dictionaries that provide technicalspecifications for products and business properties, includingtransaction properties, supply partner data and most business relatedactivities. For example, a PIP may include all of the information neededto introduce a new product to another partner, gain approval and updatethe partner's system with the new product information.

Many PIPs require trading partners to exchange multiple messages in adefined sequence within specified time limits, with the combinedinteractive message exchanges comprising a complete business process.These PIPs and similar business process standards are different from EDImessages in that they are not simply static, one-time batch messages,but instead comprise a sequence of messages linked by a logical workflowand occurring in a predefined sequence over a period of time. Thislinkage of multiple interactive messages over a period of time enablescomplex business processes to be concluded between parties that cannotbe accomplished through transmission of a single message or even asequence of messages not linked by a logical workflow.

RosettaNet™, while an advance, suffers from two major deficiencies.First, RosettaNet™ only provides for one-to-one type transactions. Thereis no provision for transactions involving more than two parties.Consequently, there is no way to compare suppliers or integrate a numberof dependent transactions with different suppliers. RosettaNet™ does notprovide a way for a seller to gain access to real time information onthe status of the seller's entire supply chain. RosettaNet™ does notprovide for the deployment of PIPs throughout an entire supply chain,with the same PIPS used by all of the supply partners. Moreover,RosettaNet™ does not facilitate the exchange of data between the variousmembers of the supply chain. There is also a need to avoid theintensive, custom efforts associated with multiple connections toindividual computer systems. Second, RosettaNet™ does not provide amechanism for monitoring and managing the business processes over timeto insure that a business process is successfully completed betweentrading partners.

Due to the limitations of current systems, there is a need for anelectronic business system that facilitates the implementation of supplychain processes through the exchange of messages linked in a logicalworkflow and occurring over time. There is a need for a single,seamless, process infrastructure to manage these messages and processesand the ability to integrate those processes with other tradingparticipants. There is also a need to avoid the intensive, customefforts associated with multiple connections to individual computersystems.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention provides a framework for facilitatingthe management of business processes between multiple tradingparticipants. To utilize the infrastructure each trading participantconnects to a centralized process management platform. Once a tradingparticipant connects to the centralized process management platform thetrading participant becomes a member of an electronic trading community.Members of the electronic trading community may utilize the processmanagement platform as a conduit for sending and receiving over a periodof time sequences of logically connected messages comprising businessprocesses. Thus, the process management platform acts as an intermediaryfor each of the parties involved in a particular transaction. In oneembodiment of the invention trading participants connect to the processmanagement platform through process gateways. Each process gatewayprovides an interface for connecting to the process management platformand may be located at a facility associated with the trading participantor at a facility associated with the process management platform.

The process management platform is configured to provides a multiplicityof services and ensure that business process data and messages aretransmitted from one trading participant to another in a uniform formatthat is understood by each trading participant involved in thetransaction. If different trading participants utilize inconsistentformats, the process management platform converts the business processdata or message to a format understood by the trading participant. Ifthe business process data or message sent from one trading participantto another is already in the appropriate format (e.g., the dataoriginated in a designated standard or was converted at the processgateway), the business process data or message is processed by theprocess management platform and forwarded to the receiving tradingparticipant.

In one embodiment of the invention, business process data comprises asequence of messages linked by a predefined workflow that collectivelydefine the specifics of a particular business process. For example,business process data may utilize an open standard such as RosettaNet™for defining common business processes. If the RosettaNet™ architectureis utilized, business process data is defined via partner interfaceprocess (PIP) guidelines. The PIP guidelines provide a uniform protocolfor communicating information through a sequence of messages exchangedover a period of time to effectuate a particular business process.However, it is important to note that the invention contemplates the useof other formats and/or protocols for defining and effectuating businessprocesses. For example, the process management platform may beconfigured to process proprietary transaction definition formats or anyother format that defines a business process and/or transactions. Thusan embodiment of the invention provides a method and apparatus forfacilitating business processes where business process data or messagesare obtained from a trading participant, processed by a processmanagement platform, and transmitted to a recipient by the processmanagement platform. The recipient may, in turn, respond by providingbusiness process data or messages comprising part of the sequence ofmessages that collectively comprise a business process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates how one trading participant may transmit electronicdata from one trading participant to another.

FIG. 2 illustrates the process for processing business process data inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the infrastructure utilized to provide businessprocess services to members of the electronic trading community.

FIG. 4 illustrates the structural components of a trading participant inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the association a virtual trading participant haswith the process management system in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the overall process flow of process managementplatform 318 and shows the relationship between the services provided byProcess Service Module 316.

FIG. 7 illustrates the validation and routing performed by oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship of the archive data service to thedata stores in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the invention comprises a method and apparatus forfacilitating business processes. In the following description, numerousspecific details are set forth to provide a more thorough description ofembodiments of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art, that the invention may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well known features have not beendescribed in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

Business Model Overview:

One embodiment of the invention provides a framework for facilitatingthe management of business processes between multiple tradingparticipants. To utilize the infrastructure each trading participantconnects to a centralized process management platform. Once a tradingparticipant connects to the centralized process management platform thetrading participant becomes a member of an electronic trading community.Members of the electronic trading community may utilize the processmanagement platform as a conduit for sending and receiving businessprocess data and messages that comprise business processes. Thus, theprocess management platform acts as an intermediary for each of theparties involved in a particular transaction. In one embodiment of theinvention trading participants connect to the process managementplatform through process gateways. Each process gateways provide aninterface for connecting to the process management platform and may belocated at a facility associated with the trading participant or at afacility associated with the process management platform.

The process management platform is configured to provides a multiplicityof services and ensure that business process data is transmitted fromone trading participant to another in a uniform format that isunderstood by each trading participant involved in the transaction andthat facilitates the successful completion of the desired businessprocess. If different trading participants utilize inconsistent formats,the process management platform converts the business process data to aformat understood by the trading participant. If the business processdata sent from one trading participant to another is already in theappropriate format (e.g., the data originated in a designated standardor was converted at the process gateway), the business process data isprocessed by the process management platform and forwarded to thereceiving trading participant.

In one embodiment of the invention, business process data comprises asequence of messages linked by a predefined workflow and collectivelydefining a particular business process. For example, business processdata may utilize an open standard such as RosettaNet™ for definingcommon business processes. If the RosettaNet™ architecture is utilized,business process data is defined via partner interface process (PIP)guidelines. The PIP guidelines provide a uniform protocol forcommunicating messages in a predefined sequence over time in order toenable the completion of a business process. However, it is important tonote that the invention contemplates the use of other formats and/orprotocols for defining business processes. For example, the processmanagement platform may be configured to process proprietary processdefinition formats or any other format that defines a business process.

Business Process Data:

Business process data, as it is utilized by one embodiment of theinvention comprises a sequence of messages linked by a predefinedworkflow and exchanged over a predefined period of time thatcollectively define the specific components and transactions required toenable a business process. Thus, business process data provides theinformation needed to enable system-to system automation of supply chainprocesses, including catalog management, ordering, inventory management,customer service and support, and any other business process companieshave a need to perform. Each business process defines the type ofmessages that will be sent and received during the course of aparticular business transaction. For example, when a business processmessage is sent, there may be a defined response that will beforthcoming within a specific period of time. Once such a response isreceived a reply to that response may be transmitted within a specifiedperiod of time. Thus, the parameters of the business process may bedefined in accordance with a set of business rules and the messages andresponses sent back and for the between the trading participants areclosely associated with the business rules. Each set of business processmessages is therefore linked by a logical workflow that occurs overtime.

There may be different types of business process data where each typedefines a different business process. For example, in one embodiment ofthe invention different processes are defined via Partner InterfaceProcesses (PIPs) as they are implemented in accordance with theRosettaNet™ implementation framework. An example of the RosettaNet™framework can be found in the RosettaNet™ Implementation FrameworkSpecification, Version 1.1 which is incorporated herein by reference.However, the invention contemplates the utilization of other suchframeworks and may be implemented via any framework that defines aparticular business process.

In one embodiment of the invention, business process data is transmittedin discrete packages where each package or a sequence of packagesrepresents a component or aspects of the business process. For example,PIPs may be encapsulated in TCP/IP packets and sent through the processmanagement platform for handling. In one embodiment, the businessprocess data comprises a sequence of messages that collectively comprisea RosettaNet™ PIP, where each PIP provides common business/data modelsand documents enabling developers to implement a common interface.However, trading participant are not required to utilize the RosettaNet™framework and may instead send data in a different format (e.g., onederived by a legacy system). In such instances, the process gateway orthe process management platform converts the business data to a formatunderstood by the recipient before transmitting the data to anothertrading participant. Such conversions are transparent to the user andthereby the system allows clients with legacy systems to coexist withclients having system subscribing to the RosettaNet™ standard.

The following table comprises a list of sample PIPs that the system mayutilize in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

The invention contemplates the use of any of the defined PIPs and/or anyother business process that is defined with a set of specificparameters. Some further examples of PIPs can be found in section A. Forexample, the invention contemplates the use of each of the PIPspublished in the RosettaNet PIP Development Schedule which isincorporated herein by reference. PIP 1A2, for example, containsinformation required to maintain account status between tradingparticipants. Maintenance of account information includes suchactivities as updating ship-to and bill-to locations as well as updatingrelationships between ship-to and bill-to address. The Partner InterfaceProcess supports both customer and vendor account types. For example,assume that trading participant ABC purchases products from tradingparticipant Acme. If trading participant ABC decides to open a newwarehouse, ABC would initiate PIP 1A2 to report the new warehouselocation to trading participant Acme. Acme would update the customeraccount in their system with the new location and provide anacknowledgment back to trading participant ABC. Conversely, Acme may adda new address to which purchase orders should be sent. As a result, Acmewould use PIP 1A2 to advise ABC of this new address. ABC would add thepurchase order address to the vendor account and acknowledge theaddition(s) back to Acme.

In one embodiment, PIP 1A2 allows trading participants to determinewhat, if any, of the updated account information is accepted andreflected in their system. Thus, referencing the example, ABC mightreport the new warehouse location and a new bill-to location to Acme.

However, Acme must review the updates and decide which information tochange in their system. If Acme finds that ABCs new bill-to locationalready exists in their system, then Acme would reject that portion ofthe request and notify ABC of the rejection. PIP 1A2 allows an AccountProvider to accept part of a request and reject part of a request, sothat the recipient could reject the bill-to, but accept the warehouselocation within the same PIP. This scenario is one example of the typeof business processes that may be defined by PIPs. However, the systemmay operate upon any other type of business process data or messagesthat defines a business process. Business processes that may be definedare not limited to vendors and customers, but could be defined betweenand among a variety of types of trading participants.

FIG. 2 illustrates the process for processing business process data inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. The process begins atstep 200 when a trading participant establishes an interface with theprocess management platform. Each trading participant may establish suchconnectivity by connecting new or existing business systems to a processgateway. A trading participant may, for example, connect a legacy systemto the process gateway and utilize the process management platform toforward business process data to another trading participant in auniform format.

In one embodiment of the invention, once a process gateway providesconnectivity to the trading participant, an interface for transmittingbusiness processes between multiple trading partners is established.This business process interface comprises a conduit for communicatingbusiness process messages and data from one trading participant to oneor many other trading participants in order to enable businessprocesses. Once the trading participant has access to the businessprocess interface, the process management platform may obtain businessprocess data from one or more trading participants (e.g., at step 202)in order to effectuate business processes with those tradingparticipant(s). Each trading participant may be referred to as a tradingparticipant. A trading participant is may comprise any type of businessentity that has a need for communicating business process data withanother business entity.

At step 204, the process management platform processes the businessprocess data. In one embodiment of the invention, the process managementplatform processes the business process data by evaluating the relevantportions of the business process data and forwarding it to the intendedrecipient (e.g., step 206). The process management platform alsoprovides other services that are discussed in further detail below.However, in an embodiment of the invention the process managementplatform is extensible and may therefore act as an intermediary tofacilitate any type of transaction or process carried out between two ormore parties. For example, the process management platform may becombined multiple business processes to formulate a metaprocess. Ametaprocess is combination of one or more processes that is formulatedat the process management platform. The process management platform maybe distributed across multiple locations and or hardware devices andutilize redundant system that ensure the maximum amount of uptime.

System Infrastructure:

FIG. 3 illustrates the infrastructure utilized to provide businessprocess services to members of the electronic trading community inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. The electronic tradingcommunity is comprised of multiple trading participants 300-314. Atrading participant becomes a member of the electronic trading communitywhen the trading participant connects to process management platform318.

Trading participants that are not connected to process managementplatform 318 are isolated from member trading participants 300-314 andnot able to exchange electronic business process data or messages withmember trading participants 300-314. For example, trading participant324 cannot electronically exchange data with member trading participants300-314. Therefore trading participant 324 must utilize traditionalcommunication mechanisms such as facsimile, telephone, or EDT tocommunicate with other trading participants in electronic form, andcannot utilize the business process interface to exchange messages in apredefined sequence over a period of time in order to enable a businessprocess.

If trading participant 324 wishes to establish an electroniccommunication link with each member trading participant 300-314, tradingparticipant 324 is required to establish individual connections witheach trading participant 300-314. However, if trading participant 324were to join the electronic trading community, trading participant wouldbe able to communicate with trading participants 300-314.

Trading Participants:

FIG. 4 illustrates the structural components of a trading participant inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Trading participant 300comprises an entity, organization, business, or individual having a needto conduct business processes with other trading participants 302-314.For example, trading participant 300 may be an entity that purchases,sells, supplies, and/or distributes products and/or services. In otherinstances a trading participant represents any party involved in abusiness process.

Trading participant 300 may comprise multiple network nodes 400-418 orit may comprise a single network node such as node 410. Each noderepresents an individual computer or a network of interconnectedcomputers configured to transmit and receive business process data.Nodes 400-418 may communicate with one another across any type ofinterconnection fabric 420. In one embodiment the invention contemplatesthe use of various types of communication interconnects. For example,embodiments of the invention may transmit data from one node to anothervia any type of interconnection fabric that provides a mechanism fortransmitting and/or receiving data. In one or more embodiments of theinvention, data is sent across an interconnection fabric that comprisesany of multiple suitable communication paths for carrying data betweenmultiple computational devices. The interconnect fabric may be, forexample, a local area network, a wide area network, a virtual privatenetwork (VPN), the Internet, an Intranet, a wireless network, or anyother type of interconnect capable of sending data from one device toanother. The interconnect fabric may be implemented with a physicalmedium such as a wire or fiber optic cable, or it may be implemented ina wireless environment using microwave signals, light signals, or anyother type of wireless communication mechanism.

Process Gateways:

Referring back to FIG. 3, trading participant 300 is configured totransmit business process data to process gateway 322. Process gateway322 is associated with trading participant 300 (or any other tradingparticipant sending or receiving data) and may be at a locationphysically or virtually associated with the trading participant to whichthe gateway corresponds. Business process data sent from each tradingparticipant is transmitted through a process gateway across aninterconnection fabric to the process management platform. Each processgateway may also provide encryption/decryption services so as to ensurethat business process data sent to and from the process managementplatform remains entirely confidential and only known to the partiesactually involved in the business process. For example, if one tradingparticipant wishes to transmit data through the process managementplatform in a secure manner to another trading participant, the payloaddata may be encrypted at the process gateway. The header associated withthe business process data is, however, not encrypted so that the processmanagement platform may utilize the header to determine where to routethe data and what management services may be required to manage andenable the successful completion of the business process.

Process Management Platform:

Process management platform 318 comprises a system configured toevaluate and/or route business process data. The process managementplatform has access to process service module 316. Process servicemodule 316 is configured to perform a variety of different operations onthe business process data. However, if no such operations are desired,the business process data if forwarded by process manager 320 to theappropriate trading party. For example, if trading participant 320transmits appropriately formatted business process data to processmanagement platform 318, process management platform will provide thebusiness process data to process manager 320. Otherwise, process manager320 evaluates the business process data, determines which tradingparticipant is the intended recipient and forwards the business processdata to the receiving party. Thus, in one embodiment of the inventionthe process manager acts as a switch for routing business process data.

The process manager, may for example, analyze the header of packetscomprising the business process data, determine that the informationcontained therein is compatible with the intended recipient and forwardto the business process data to the intended recipient on behalf of theinitiating supply chains participant.

The process management platform provides many benefits to the tradingparticipants connected to the platform. For example, process managementplatform 318 eliminates the need for a series of potentially expensiveand time-consuming one-to-one transactions or data exchanges. Inaddition, process management platform 318 provides centralizedmanagement, reporting and maintenance services to support businessprocesses. For example, where the business process standard used by thetrading participants specifies a sequence of messages that must beexchanged within a specified time period in order to complete a businessprocess, the process management platform can identify when a requiredmessage has not been sent within the required time frame and can notifythe trading participants or take other actions to facilitate thesuccessful completion of the business process. The business processmanagement platform can also troubleshoot other problems with messagesbetween trading participants and take corrective action in real time toprevent or minimize delays or disruptions in the completion of thedesired business process.

The experience gained by having one entity administer a central processmanagement platform will help ensure connectivity and flawlessoperation. In addition, that entity is ideally suited to provideassistance to new users. A process management platform facilitates thedeployment of business process data throughout an entire supply chain,with the same (or a subset of) business processes being used by all ofthe supply partners. Furthermore, the addition of each tradingparticipant to the process management platform makes the processmanagement platform more valuable to all of the companies in the supplychain. For example, each trading participant provides another companywith which currently connected trading participants may send and receivedata in order to effectuate business processes. Also, the use of aprocess management platform facilitates the rapid addition orreplacement of supply chain partners. Thus, process management platform318 acts as the intermediary through which business process datatransmitted from one trading participant to another is sent.

In one embodiment of the invention, process management platformcomprises service module 316 and process manager 320. Process servicemodule 316 is configured to provide services to the tradingparticipants. Each of these services is designed to facilitatecommunication about current or future business transactions. Processmanager 320 provides a physical interface between trading participantsand hosts the services of process service module 316. Functionsallocated to process management platform 318 may be performed at asingle central location, or may be distributed across multiple sitesand/or computational devices.

If the services are distributed, an interconnection fabric (e.g., theInternet) can be used to communicate between the services and devices asrequired. These software and hardware solutions define the electronictrading community, which implements communication using a uniformtransaction format. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, theelectronic trading community utilizes RosettaNet™ to impose efficiencyon the business process model. However, an embodiment of the inventioncontemplates the utilization of other open or proprietary protocols thatdefine business processes. Thus, the present invention encompassesadditional enterprise activities that fall outside the scope of theRosettaNet™ model. For example, the process management platform mayoffer extensions to the RosettaNet™ model and/or vary the contents ofPIPs implemented using the RosettaNet™ model.

Many business processes are currently performed with propriety hardwareand software tools or without any automation at all. The processmanagement platform provides a centralized mechanism for automating suchbusiness processes and provides access to each party involved in thetransaction through an interconnection fabric such as the Web. Businessprocesses such as product configuration, sales reporting, transportationand distribution, marketing information management, collaborativeforecasting, and price protection can all be automated using anembodiment of the present invention.

The following services are described herein as examples of the functionsthat may be performed by process service module 316: business processdata routing, business process data translation and conversion,broadcast to multiple trading participants, archiving of data, real-timetroubleshooting and correction of problems that might otherwise preventor delay completion of the desired business process, transactionevaluation and analysis reporting, directory services, automaticnegotiation of trading participant agreements, and automatic clientbilling services. However, it is important to note that embodiments ofthe invention may be utilized to implement other business processes. Forexample, process management platform 318 may implement various aspectsor extensions of the RosettaNet™ model and/or similar business processdefinition protocols.

Thus, while the following examples describes certain services,infrastructure, and processes that support the electronic tradingcommunity described herein, it will be clear to one of ordinary skill inthe art that the invention is not limited to the services or protocolsused as examples of the present invention. RosettaNet™, for example,facilitates the functions performed by the present invention, but theinvention is not limited by or to the RosettaNet™ protocol. Any protocolstandard designed to facilitate the enablement of business processesthrough the communication and management of a sequence of messagesbetween businesses over time would meet the requirements of acommunications protocol that may be managed by the process managementplatform. An embodiment of the invention comprises a virtuallycentralize resource of services for trading participants whichfacilitates their involvement in the electronic trading community.

FIG. 6 illustrates the overall process flow of the process managementplatform and shows the relationship between the services provided by theprocess service module in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Process module 320 begins processing when business processdata is received at process management platform 318 and passed toprocess module 320. When processing is complete, process service module316 transmits the message via process manager 320. At step 600, thebusiness process data is identified as a received message. The businessprocess data is tested for validity at step 605 by examining its headerand error correction information. The business process data may also beauthenticated at step 605 to verify the identity of the sender. Inaddition, if the message encapsulating the business process datacontains one or more digital signatures then those signatures may beverified at step 605. If the message is invalid, it passes to errorprocessing function 610. Alternatively, if the message is repairable itcontinues in the processing chain. If the message is unrecoverable, itis logged by error handling 610 and process management platform 318waits for the next message.

Step 615 test the valid business process data message to determine ifthe message requires and translation and/or conversion. Translationand/or conversion may be required when the sender and receiver are usingincompatible systems or protocols. In such instances, the incompatiblebusiness process data is passed to translation service 620. Translationservice 620 converts data sent in a first protocol or format to datathat conforms to a second protocol or format. For example, if thebusiness process data was sent using an older RosettaNet™ protocol andthe recipient is configured to utilize a new RosettaNet™ protocol,translation service 620 will convert the data from the first protocolinto the second protocol. When an acknowledgement or reply is sent backthe translation may be performed again so that each party involved inthe transaction can receive the data in the format understood by thatparty. If the message requires decryption, translation services 620 mayalso perform this function. When translation service 620 is complete,the data is tested for a broadcast indication at step 625.

Step 630 operates upon business process data that requires broadcasting.Broadcasting may comprise alterations to the business process dataheader, or may require process management platform 318 to transmit aplurality of copies of the business process data to multiple tradingparticipants, or may require process management platform 318 to applylogic to the incoming business process data and initiate a new ordifferent message to multiple trading partner participants in order toeffectuate the desired business process. Depending on the criteriaspecified in the business process data and the criteria specified by thepotential recipients. For example, the business process data may containan indication that the data is to be broadcast to a list of suppliersthat carry a particular type of product. The supplier may respond bysending a reply message (e.g., a price quote) to the trading participantthat initiated the connection.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the authenticity ororigin of the message may optionally be validated at step 631 bychecking the message against a digital signature or other type of uniqueidentifying mechanism. If the signature or unique identifier is notvalid, the message is not routed to the intended destination. In theevent that the message is determined to be valid, it is then forwardedto the appropriate destination for processing.

Step 635 tests if the archiving function is enabled. If so, then thebusiness process data is passed to archive processing 640, which recordsinformation on the transaction. This step is an important part of thenon-repudiation function provided by process service module 316. When abusiness process message has been archived a record is made of thetransaction defined by that business process message. Thus, archivingfunction provides a record, made in the ordinary course of business, ofthe sequence of messages transmitted that comprise a business process.This is an improvement over prior transaction methods, which oftenutilized additional mechanism such as the telephone, email, or fax tomemorialize a transaction.

Many trading participants use more than one method of communication atdifferent times during a business process or negotiation. Usingdifferent methods of communication for various steps in a businessprocess may make indexing and recording of the communications unreliableor hard to trace. By archiving business process data in processmanagement platform 318 a complete electronic index and record ofbusiness processes sent between trading participants can be maintainedand made accessible.

Business process data may be examined at step 645 to see if the datarequires a listing in directory services 650. Directory Services 650comprises a directory of information for connecting to, selecting, orobtain information about other trading participants. For example, thedirectory may contain information on products and/or services offeredfor sale, business process standards used by trading participants, andthe types of business processes that a trading participant is capable ofundertaking.

Next process service module 316 may examine the business process data atstep 655 to determine if the message requests automatic negotiation of abusiness process. Automatic negotiation 660 is a service provided byprocess management platform 318 that can initiate and consummate abusiness process without human intervention. Using a uniform translationformat such as RosettaNet™ and data provided by the purchaser processservice module 316 can create a request for offers, evaluate theresponses, and “make the deal.” In one embodiment of the invention, thepurchaser uses PIPs to specify to process service module 316 the itemacquisition data, technical data, and other information required todescribe the desired transaction. Automatic negotiation 660 then sendsPIPs requesting offers of the specified items at the required price,quality and quantity. Process service module 316 continues to exchangePIPs with trading participants through their process gateways until anoffer satisfying the criteria of the item acquisition data is received.Automatic negotiation 660 then accepts the transaction. Confirmation ofthe transaction is forwarded to the trading participant initiatingautomatic negotiation 660.

Another service provided by process service module 316 is that ofTransaction Evaluation and Analysis Reporting ('PEAR) 665. TEAR 665 is aservice provided to subscribing trading participants that keeps theminformed about sales and marketing trends. Transactions passing throughthe present invention are evaluated for statistical purposes comprisingtransaction type, pricing, and other related information. Thestatistical data gathered is then analyzed and formatted to producemarket trend and forecasting reports for interested tradingparticipants.

When process service module completes processing the business data thesystem gathers and processes the data required to provide accountservice information to the trading participants involved in the businessprocess. This function may be performed by accounting services 670.Following message processing and accounting the business process data isreturned by process service module 316 to process module 320 fortransmission to all trading participants identified as recipients of themessage. The following sections detail the functions of the presentinvention identified in FIG. 6.

Business Process Data Validation and Routing

The Business Process Data Validation and Routing service, in oneembodiment of the invention, provides a mechanism for tradingparticipants to seamlessly and reliably conduct business processes withother trading participants—even if those other partners change theircomputer systems, locations, business process data message protocolversion, or other information critical to communications sent via theelectronic trading community. The validation and routing performed byone embodiment of the invention to accomplish these goals is illustratedin FIG. 7.

Business process data message routing and validation begins with theinitiation of a message comprising the first step in a business process.Messages may be in the nature of specific transaction data, or may be arequest for broadcast of service and/or product information. Messagesmay also occur between process management platform 318 and the tradingparticipant directly, such as a request for a new product to beadvertised in the directory service, providing process managementplatform 318 information on changes to the trading participant's system,or other account maintenance information.

Messages may be initiated by a trading participant or by processmanagement platform 318. For example, a trading participant may initiatea message to propose a business process. Process management platform318, on the other hand, may initiate a message to perforin automaticnegotiation services 660 functions. If a trading participant initiates atransaction it may be through an automated system interface—computer tocomputer—or through a human system interface such as a Web browser.

The business process data is transmitted between trading participantsand process management platform 318 using any interconnection fabricinterface. In one embodiment of the invention, the message istransmitted using a standard Internet protocol such as TCP/IP. Inanother embodiment, the message is transmitted via wireless protocols.As will be well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, thepresent invention performs equally using all methods for transmittingmessages between trading participants and process management platform318.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the business process data validationand routing process. In this example, trading participant 1 (tradingparticipant 1) initiates a message to trading participant 2 (tradingparticipant 2) at step 700. The message is received by processmanagement platform 318 and immediately logged. This logging process, atstep 710, ensures that if a failure occurs before the message istransmitted on to its destination, in this example trading participant2, that it will be available for reprocessing—ensuring reliability ofthe transfer through process management platform 318. The logging ofmessages received also provides information for other services inprocess management platform 318 such as accounting services 670.

After logging the message, process management platform 318 validates themessage (e.g., the business process data) at step 720. Messagevalidation involves a number of tests. The first test of step 720includes verifying the physical transmission of the message. This testmay be performed using Cyclic Redundancy Checks (CRC), or any othermethod that can be used to verify the integrity of the message itself.Unneeded message header and tail information is then stripped from themessage, and the next validation test is performed. The next validationtest may be authentication of the identity of the sender of message. Oneservice provided by process management platform 318 is to ensureauthentication of the transaction for trading participants. Thiscapability of process module 318 is performed in step 720. In addition,the message may contain a digital signature. If so, the invention mayvalidate the signature as part of accepting the identity of the sender.

Other checks may include validating the uniform transaction format ofthe message. For example, one embodiment of the invention validates aRosettaNet™ message for grammar and sequence validation.

If process management platform 318 alters a message in any way,including correcting transmission errors using built-in error correctioninformation, it may be required to “sign” the message before passing iton to its recipient.

Following validation the message is processed at step 730 in the mannerdescribed above and illustrated in FIG. 6. When message processing iscomplete, process management platform 318 transmits the message totrading participant 2 as illustrated at step 740.

The message, converted and translated if required, is received bytrading participant 2 at step 750. Trading participant 2 typicallyacknowledges receipt of the message using uniform transaction formatcommands. Trading participant sends this acknowledgement to processmanagement platform 318 at step 760. Process management platform 318receives an acknowledgement at step 770, and formulates anacknowledgement that can be understood by trading participant 1 at step780. This acknowledgment is sent at 780 and is received at step 790.When step 790 completes trading participant 1 can be assured that itsmessage was delivered to trading participant 2 in a format tradingparticipant 2 can understand. If trading participant 2 wishes to respondto the message it can begin a new transaction at step 700, where the twotrading participants trade roles.

Business Process Data Translation/Conversion

Another function of process management platform 318, provided by processservice module 316, is to translate or convert message formats asrequired. A single message may require a number of different conversionsand translations. This poses a problem for the trading participants.Product announcements, for example, are very inefficient if they need tobe translated into different formats for each trading participant towhich they are sent. An embodiment of the present invention is capableof translating or converting messages under at least the followingcircumstances. The purpose of this function in one embodiment of theinvention is to normalize a message so that both sender and recipientcan process any message transparent to any differences between theirrespective systems.

Encryption:

Business process data may arrive at process service module 316encrypted. Encryption is a process by which data may be altered so thatonly its intended recipient can interpret it. If a message arrives atprocess service module 316 encrypted, and the intended recipient cannot,according to its profile, process encrypted data in the form in whichthe message was received then process service module 316 can decrypt andthen re-encrypt the message in a format understandable by the recipient.Process service module 316 performs this service by managing encryptiondata for all registered trading participants.

Protocol Translation:

Another form of translation service performed by process service module316 is to translate between different business process data formats. Forexample, trading participant 1 may have a system that uses the EDIformat for exchanging business process data. Under the present art, thattrading participant cannot electronically process orders from tradingparticipant 2, who uses RosettaNet™ if its system only understands EDI.Other examples of uniform transactions protocols include CxML and CBL.An embodiment of the invention provides a solution to this problem byproviding protocol translation. For instance, the process managementplatform may uses table-lookup, database methods, and other methods toseamlessly translate messages from a uniform transaction formatunderstood by trading participant 1 to the format understood by tradingparticipant 2. The information on what transaction format or formatseach trading participant understands may be maintained by processservice module 316 in a trading participant profile database.

Protocol Version Conversion:

Another problem an embodiment of the invention solves occurs whentrading participant 1 and trading participant 2 both use the sameuniform business process protocol, but they use different versions ofthat protocol. For example, RosettaNet™ version 1.1 and version 2.0 arevery different. A trading participant using one would not be able toseamlessly communicate transaction data with a trading participant usingthe other. Another function of the translation and conversion service isto use a table-lookup or similar method to translate between versions ofa uniform transaction protocol. The present invention can provide thisservice invisibly to the trading participants, because the invention hasavailable to it information on the capabilities of each tradingparticipant in the trading participant profile database.

Even within a single version of a single uniform business processformat, different trading participants may have come to differentinterpretations of various messages in the format. For example usingRosettaNet™, two trading participants both using version 2.0 may havecome to understand a different meaning for PIP.

Legacy Systems:

Another challenge to communications sent through the electronic tradingcommunity occurs when one trading participant has a much older computersystem than another. The two trading participants may wish to dobusiness electronically, but their systems may not be able tocommunicate. Another function of the translation and conversion serviceis to facilitate the communication between these two tradingparticipants. By utilizing the process management platform, anembodiment of the invention can easily handle the interface between aLegacy system and a modern system, without either system being requiredto handle the differences between them.

Broadcast to Multiple Trading Participants:

An embodiment of the present invention also defines the ability tobroadcast messages between trading participants. This service isprovided to allow broadcast of messages for any purpose. In currentsystems, broadcasting messages is difficult because of manyconsiderations including trading participants using legacy systems,using different versions of communications protocols such asRosettaNet™, and lack of information on the ever-changing types ofsystems used by each potential trading participant, as detailed in thesection above.

However, the ability to broadcast data is desirable because it canfacilitate business processes. For example, in one embodiment of thepresent invention a trading participant may desire to broadcast messagesfor a new product announcement. The trading participant may send amessage to process service module 316 instructing it to broadcast theproduct announcement to all available trading participants. Processservice module 316 would then examine the profile database to determinewhich trading participants are interested in such a product, and thenreplicate the message, in a format acceptable to each, and “broadcast”the announcement as instructed. The recipient trading partners wouldthen be able to send an acknowledgement back to process service module316 for routing to the initiating trading participant, acknowledgingreceipt of the product announcement. The translation and profile dataknown by process service module 316, as described above, allows thepresent invention to provide a seamless interface for broadcasting datato multiple trading participants.

Archive Data:

A. Transaction Archiving:

Business process archiving provides one of the present invention'sadvances over existing methods of business transaction negotiations.Because all communications comprising a business process pass throughprocess management platform 318 the present invention may store the allof the messages comprising or related to a business process in anarchive data store.

FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship of the archive data service to thedata stores of the present invention. Archive processing 865 may readtransaction log 800, and may store information in data archive 860. Thisdata store is a repository of all the elements of the business process,including negotiation of terms, price, quantity, quality, itemacquisition data, item technical information, and delivery agreements.

Archiving business process data provides a record of the “deal” to bothparticipants. If either participant tries to “repudiate” (break theagreement) then the other participant can use the data stored in thedata archive to prove the details of the agreement in a legalproceeding. This information is stored by the present invention in theform of a transaction log. Items are added to the transaction log whenreceived, as discussed in the description of step 605 above. Archivedata can be maintained for a certain time interval. For example, thedata may be maintained for seven years or longer to supportnon-repudiation and legal archiving needs. Data in the data archivestore may be indexed to make it more accessible.

B. Data Mining:

Business Process Data transaction information may also be stored tosupport the transaction evaluation and analysis report service.Transactions that are archived by the invention may be “mined” bysoftware programs to generate statistical information useful inpredicting market trends, forecasting supply and demand, and inevaluating pricing issues. Data mining is a process by which softwareprograms scan databases for certain types of information, and thenmanipulate that information mathematically to produce summaryinformation.

Transactions Evaluation and Analysis Report (TEAR):

One of the services the present invention provides to tradingparticipants is the ability to garner market treads from statisticalinformation. The present invention may monitor and process transactiondata passing through the invention's infrastructure that is stored intransaction log 800. This information may be processed in a way thatprotects the confidential information of the trading participants, andstill provides information on market trends of interest to other tradingparticipants.

For example, in one embodiment of the invention transactions evaluationand analysis reporting service 885 monitors transaction log 800 forentries related to the price of a particular computer hard disk drive.When transactions between trading participants regarding pricenegotiations of an item matching the specification of the particularcomputer hard disk drive are detected transactions evaluation andanalysis reporting service 885 copies this entry into its own datastore, transactions evaluation and analysis reporting database 850. Whena report on hard disk prices is required, a query is run on transactionsevaluation and analysis reporting database 850 to produce information onthe highest, lowest and media price of the particular computer hard diskdrive over a particular period. This information can then be provided tointerested trading participants.

Directory Services:

In one embodiment of the invention, the invention contemplates the useof a directory. The directory is generated by the process managementplatform and comprises a collection of the business processes eachtrading participant is capable of supporting. For example, one tradingparticipant could access the directory in order to determine whetheranother trading participant supports a particular business process. Inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention the directory may beaccessed via a web based interface (or any other type of clientinterface).

In one embodiment of the invention the directory is generated by aservice of process management platform 316. Directory services 650comprise a collection of the business processes each trading participantis capable of supporting. For example, one trading participant couldaccess the directory in order to determine whether another tradingparticipant supports a particular business process.

Directory services 650 may be understood as “yellow pages” of tradingparticipant's business processes. These yellow pages may be implementedby the present invention as a database under the control of thedirectory services function. FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship betweendirectory services 845 and directory services database 830. The entriesstored in directory services database 830 may include information abouta trading participant's products, services, and prices. In accordancewith one embodiment of the invention, directory services database 830may be accessed via a web-based interface (or any other type of clientinterface). The information may also be made available to automaticnegotiation services 885 for dynamic searching.

The information stored in directory services database 830 is provided bythe trading participants via extensions to the uniform translationformat in use. In one embodiment of the invention, for example, when atrading participant broadcasts a new product announcement theinformation may also be added to the trading participant's entry indirectory services database 830 by directory services 845, becausedirectory services 845 may monitor transaction log 800.

Automatic Negotiation of Trading Partner Agreements:

A feature of the present invention is the automatic negotiation oftrading participant agreements. The following table illustrates thesteps of this process under one embodiment of the present invention.Automatic negotiation may use computer-based transactions to performtasks traditionally performed by manual processes.

In a common business paradigm, a purchase of a particular hard diskdrive might proceed as shown in the left hand column of the followingtable. The same transaction handled by automatic negotiation isillustrated by the right hand column.

Manual Negotiations Automatic Negotiations

Automatic negotiation 855 may also encompasses the services of digitalcertificate management. In this function, the present invention mayprovide digital certificates to trading participants, as a digitalcertificate authority would. It might also provide functions to assisttrading participants in validating digital signatures by maintainingpublic keys of other trading participants in their profile or directoryrecords. The present invention can be implemented using any form of userauthentication, and is not limited to the examples of authenticationdescribed here for purposes of illustration of the invention.

Accounting Services:

To facilitate a trading participant's interface to the presentinvention, the invention may keep data on all the business processes itprocesses. This information is valuable in billing the tradingparticipants for services rendered by the present invention. Inaddition, account services can monitor trading participant accounts andservice quality based on the transactions recording in the transactionslog. This information can be translated into electronic clientbilling—automating yet another process for trading participants.

The present invention may also manage electronic fund transfers betweentrading participants, acting as an escrow agent for funds transferredduring a transaction.

Virtual Trading participant:

One embodiment of the invention contemplates the construction of avirtual trading participant (e.g., an entity involved in an aspect of aparticular business transaction). FIG. 5 illustrates the association avirtual trading participant has with the process management system inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Virtual tradingparticipant 500 provides a mechanism for testing the connectivity andoperational characteristics of a newly or currently connected tradingparticipant 308. For example, in one embodiment of the invention,virtual trading participant 500 acts as a recipient for business processdata transmitted by an actual trading participant 308. Thus, tradingparticipant 308 may utilize virtual trading participant 500 to test thesystem. A trading participant 308 may, for example, utilize virtualtrading participant 500 to determine if the data defining individualbusiness processes is in the uniform format understood by the system.

If the system utilizes RosettaNet™ PIPS, virtual trading participant 500provides a mechanism for new or existing trading participants todetermine whether the format conforms to the RosettaNet™ standard. Asthe standard evolves, trading participants (e.g., 308) may utilizevirtual trading participant 500 to ensure compatibility with anidentified version of the standard. If trading participant 308 wishes todetermine if messages being transmitted comply with a certain version ofa standard, trading participant 308 may transmit a fictional set ofbusiness process data to virtual trading participant 500. Virtualtrading participant 500 is configured to acknowledge the data and replyby transmitting an appropriate response.

Virtual trading participant 500 also provides a way for tradingparticipant 308 to determine if they are prepared to automaticallyexchange the type of data required to complete a particular businessprocess. Moreover, in one embodiment of the invention virtual tradingparticipant provides a mechanism for generating test reports anddetermining if process management platform 318 is configured to archiveand/or store information about the business process data sent throughthe process management platform. In one aspect of the invention, theprocess management platform provides a directory of business processes.The virtual trading participant may provide a way for tradingparticipants to review and/test the ability to access the directory andobtain data about the business processes a particular tradingparticipant is configured to perform. Thus, the virtual tradingparticipant provides a feedback mechanism for determining if aparticular trading participant is ready to send, receive, and performother operations on business process data.

Thus, a method and apparatus for facilitating the management of businessprocesses is described. However, the claims and the full scope of theirequivalents define the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for determining compatibility ofbusiness process data protocols, the system comprising: a storage mediumcomprising business process data protocols; a computer system incommunication with the storage medium, wherein the computer system:receives, by the computer system, fictitious business process data froma trading participant; acknowledges the fictitious business processdata; utilizes a virtual trading participant generated by a processmanagement system to determine if the fictional business process datadefining individual business processes is in a uniform format understoodby the process management platform; and replies to the tradingparticipant that the fictitious business process data has beenacknowledged in order to enable the trading participant to determinethat the trading participant is prepared to transmit business processdata to complete a business transaction.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the computer system further: processes first business processdata comprising first transaction messages having a first data format ina first protocol at a process management platform, wherein the processmanagement platform is configured to manage a flow of the transactionmessages and monitor the transaction messages, and wherein the processmanagement platform is configured to automatically determine a secondtrading participant to satisfy the first business process data;identifies a second protocol for conducting the business transactionsused by the second trading participant; generates second businessprocess data comprising second transaction messages having a second dataformat from the first business process data, wherein the secondtransaction messages are in accordance with the identified secondprotocol; and transmits the second business process data from theprocess management platform to the second trading participant, whereinthe first and second trading participants conduct the businesstransactions in accordance with their respective protocols forconducting business transactions.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein thecomputer system further processes the first business process data byobtaining the first business process data by the process managementplatform at a process gateway, and wherein the process gatewayinterfaces with at least one legacy system of one or both of the firsttrading participant and the second trading participant.
 4. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the computer system further: broadcasts the firstbusiness process data to the second trading participant, wherein theprocess management platform is configured to utilize at least one openprotocol that defines a business process.
 5. The system of claim 2,wherein the second protocol differs from the first protocol, and whereinthe first transaction messages comprise an unencrypted header andencrypted payload data compatible with the first data format, andwherein the computer system further: decrypts the encrypted payload dataand subsequently re-encrypting the decrypted payload data according tothe second data format in accordance with the identified secondprotocol; determines that information in the header is compatible withthe second trading participant; modifies the header including strippingunneeded information from the header and altering content of the header;and digitally signs the modified header.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the first business process data conforms to the uniform format.7. An apparatus comprising a computer and a computer readable storagemedium, the storage medium storing program code configured to beexecuted by the computer to perform a method for managing businessprocesses, the method comprising: receiving, by the computer, fictitiousbusiness process data from a trading participant; acknowledging thefictitious business process data; utilizing a virtual tradingparticipant generated by a process management system to determine if thefictional business process data defining individual business processesis in a uniform format understood by the process management platform;and replying to the trading participant that the fictitious businessprocess data has been acknowledged in order to enable the tradingparticipant to determine that the trading participant is prepared totransmit business process data to complete a business transaction. 8.The apparatus of claim 7, the method comprising: processing firstbusiness process data comprising first transaction messages having afirst data format in a first protocol at a process management platform,wherein the process management platform is configured to manage a flowof the transaction messages and monitor the transaction messages, andwherein the process management platform is configured to automaticallydetermine a second trading participant to satisfy the first businessprocess data; identifying a second protocol for conducting the businesstransactions used by the second trading participant; generating secondbusiness process data comprising second transaction messages having asecond data format from the first business process data, wherein thesecond transaction messages are in accordance with the identified secondprotocol; and transmitting the second business process data from theprocess management platform to the second trading participant, whereinthe first and second trading participants conduct the businesstransactions in accordance with their respective protocols forconducting business transactions.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe processing the first business process data further comprisesobtaining the first business process data by the process managementplatform at a process gateway, and wherein the process gatewayinterfaces with at least one legacy system of one or both of the firsttrading participant and the second trading participant.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 8, the method comprising: broadcasting the firstbusiness process data to the second trading participant, wherein theprocess management platform is configured to utilize at least one openprotocol that defines a business process.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the second protocol differs from the first protocol, and whereinthe first transaction messages comprise an unencrypted header andencrypted payload data compatible with the first data format, andwherein the method comprises: decrypting the encrypted payload data andsubsequently re-encrypting the decrypted payload data according to thesecond data format in accordance with the identified second protocol;determining that information in the header is compatible with the secondtrading participant; modifying the header including stripping unneededinformation from the header and altering content of the header; anddigitally signing the modified header.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7,wherein the first business process data conforms to the uniform format.13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the process management platform isconfigured to process at least one proprietary transaction definitionformat.
 14. A method for determining compatibility of business processdata protocols, the method comprising: receiving, by a computer,fictitious business process data from a trading participant;acknowledging the fictitious business process data; utilizing a virtualtrading participant generated by a process management system todetermine if the fictional business process data defining individualbusiness processes is in a uniform format understood by the processmanagement platform; and replying to the trading participant that thefictitious business process data has been acknowledged in order toenable the trading participant to determine that the trading participantis prepared to transmit business process data to complete a businesstransaction.
 15. The method of claim 14, the method comprising:processing first business process data comprising first transactionmessages having a first data format in a first protocol at a processmanagement platform, wherein the process management platform isconfigured to manage a flow of the transaction messages and monitor thetransaction messages, and wherein the process management platform isconfigured to automatically determine a second trading participant tosatisfy the first business process data; identifying a second protocolfor conducting the business transactions used by the second tradingparticipant; generating second business process data comprising secondtransaction messages having a second data format from the first businessprocess data, wherein the second transaction messages are in accordancewith the identified second protocol; and transmitting the secondbusiness process data from the process management platform to the secondtrading participant, wherein the first and second trading participantsconduct the business transactions in accordance with their respectiveprotocols for conducting business transactions.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein the processing the first business process data furthercomprises obtaining the first business process data by the processmanagement platform at a process gateway, and wherein the processgateway interfaces with at least one legacy system of one or both of thefirst trading participant and the second trading participant.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, the method comprising: broadcasting the firstbusiness process data to the second trading participant, wherein theprocess management platform is configured to utilize at least one openprotocol that defines a business process.
 18. The method of claim 15,wherein the second protocol differs from the first protocol, and whereinthe first transaction messages comprise an unencrypted header andencrypted payload data compatible with the first data format, andwherein the method comprises: decrypting the encrypted payload data andsubsequently re-encrypting the decrypted payload data according to thesecond data format in accordance with the identified second protocol;determining that information in the header is compatible with the secondtrading participant; modifying the header including stripping unneededinformation from the header and altering content of the header; anddigitally signing the modified header.
 19. The method of claim 14,wherein the first business process data conforms to the uniform format.20. The method of claim 14, wherein the process management platform isconfigured to process at least one proprietary transaction definitionformat.